Surgery likely for reliever Gryboski

Braves Notebook

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Reliever Kevin Gryboski says surgery on his sore right shoulder is a last option, but it appears likely because of continued pain from a partially torn labrum.

It's the same injury that plagued him near the end of last season and after visiting Dr. James Andrews last October, he chose to rest and rehab his shoulder. But after three months off, the pain returned as soon as he started throwing again.

"It's the same pain as before," said Gryboski, who spent three weeks on the disabled list last September. "It kind of (angers) you that when you start throwing again you get the same pain."

Gryboski plans to test his shoulder this weekend in his first throwing session, but he didn't sound optimistic following Wednesday's rain-shortened workout.

"I'm going to pitch until I can't pitch anymore and I'm not effective," he said.

If Gryboski has surgery, he will miss the entire season. And if he is lost, it would have a domino effect on the battle for jobs this spring. Most likely, Jaret Wright, who wants to compete for the fifth starter's spot, would wind up in the bullpen, where he was impressive last September.

Branyan provides some punch

Russell Branyan, who grew up in Warner Robins, and now lives in Kathleen, instructed his agent to call the Braves as soon as he became a free agent this winter.

"I grew up watching the Braves and signing with them really made my family happy," he said.

The left-handed-hitting Branyan gives the team a backup third baseman and outfielder, though as manager Bobby Cox pointed out several days ago, Branyan will have to adjust his all-or-nothing swing if he expects to win a bench job.

"That's something I'll be working on," he said. "I need to put the ball in play and take what the pitcher gives me. It's taken awhile to get through my thick head that you take the single up the middle or the jam shot to left field."

Branyan split last season between Class AAA Louisville, where he hit .327, and Cincinnati, where he batted just .216 in 74 games. He could provide insurance against an injury to third baseman Mark DeRosa and give the team a home run threat off the bench, but he'll have to prove that hitting coach Terry Pendleton's lessons are taking hold.

"I'm not a shoo-in by any means, but if I have a good camp I may open some eyes," Branyan said.

Furcal gets needed break before reporting

Rafael Furcal had a good excuse for not arriving in camp days ahead of the mandatory reporting date. He needed a break after playing 20-plus games in the Dominican Winter League, then helping the Dominican team to the Caribbean Series championship.

"I needed some time with my family," he said.

Furcal spent his first day in camp indoors as rain pelted Disney's Wide World of Sports Wednesday morning. Though he didn't do any running, he said he plans to run more than he did last season when he swiped 25 bases in 27 attempts.

"If I get the green light, I don't know how many I could steal," he said.

Smoltz: Chipper must be patient at plate

With Gary Sheffield and Javy Lopez gone from the lineup, John Smoltz predicted that opposing pitchers will be reluctant to pitch to Chipper Jones.

"He is now going to be a guy like Barry Bonds," Smoltz said. "Guys are not going to pitch to him. He's going to have to do some things this year that he's not used to doing. He's going to have to be patient."

Jones acknowledged that without Sheffield and Lopez he won't see as many fastballs, but pointed out that he drew 126 walks during his MVP season in 1999 and has walked at least 90 times the last six straight years.

"I will have to be patient," Jones said. "I know when teams are not going to let me beat them. They're going to make Andruw (Jones) and J.D. (Drew) beat them."